Published by Random House - Ballantine Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery
Format: ARC, eBook
“However small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance was there.” – Ronald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Jack Masterson, the author of the beloved Clock Island series, quit writing years ago without explanation. He had a huge fan base and children would write to him telling him their wishes. His beloved books were missed by all, but now he has a new book coming out! Imagine the excitement felt by fans worldwide when they learned about the new book. But there is a catch, isn’t there always a catch? He is holding a contest at his home on the real clock island, and he is inviting a select few to participate. The winner will receive the one and only copy of the book!!!! woohoo.
Lucy has loved the Clock Island series since she was eight years old. She even ran away once to Masterson’s house on Clock Island hoping to be his sidekick. She has never lost her love of reading and works as a teacher’s aide and wants nothing more than to adopt seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who became an orphan after tragedy.
Back on Clock Island, Lucy meets Jack Masterson and his assistant, Hugo. She also meets the other contestants, and the competition begins. Not only are they competition against each other, they must contend with a lurking attorney who wants to bribe contestants to sell the book to his client if they win.
This was such a delightful book full of beautiful passages. I hung on to the words and as I was drawn into the story. I have been a bookworm since childhood and loved how the author showed the characters’ love of books and how books take readers on journeys and have impacts on their lives. I also loved the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory feel. I watch Gene Wilder version every year.
Reading this book was like a big warm hug. The book touches on family and what makes a family, love, wishes, generosity, kindness, books, facing your fears, dreams and finding your home. It was lovely, moving and thought provoking. I loved the characters and their backstories. There was so much heart in this book.
Well written, moving, and hard to put down.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.